Is This Anti-Americanism, or What?

Posted By: December 31, 2006

IS THIS ANTI-AMERICANISM, OR WHAT?By Father Sean Mc ManusPresident, Irish National Caucus

CAPITOL HILL. Saturday, December 30, 2006— There has beenconcern among Irish-Americans that the people in Irelandwere becoming increasingly anti-American. I think thatconcern is over-blown a bit. My own experience is thatthere is an anti-Bush feeling in Ireland, but it is notanti-American. Big difference.

However, a fascinating piece of apparent anti-Americanismhas emerged from Belfast, all the more interesting in thatit is not new but 30 years old. And it comes from our oldfriends in British Intelligence.

The just released 1976 British Cabinet Papers – publishedafter the 30-year confidentiality rule – reveal that theSDLP had conflicted – feelings about America. Yet it wasAmerica that helped to make John Hume and internationalstatesman.

The Irish News, Saturday, December 30, 2006, in a storyheadlined “Fitt shunned dinner over SAS gaffe” says:” Theformer SDLP leader, Gerry Fitt who died in 2005 failed toturn up at a dinner party at Stormont 30 years ago becausehe was embarrassed over a highly public gaffe concerningthe SASŠMr. Hume said that the real reason for Mr. Fitt’sabsence from the dinner was that he was licking his woundsafter his statement comparing the SAS to the CIA. This hadbrought ridicule from outside down upon the party and manyof their own supporters had been complaining that theycould not take this statement seriouslyŠ”

Now, I’m no fan of the CIA, despite DeNiro’s new, excellentmovie, “The Good Shepherd”, filmed in part right next doorto my old office, 413 Capital St. SE,(In the movie Matt Damon is seen coming out of thedrycleaners, Capitol Hill Valet, 409 East Capital St. SE).

However, I find it extraordinary that John Hume would makeexcuses for the notorious SAS that assassinated Catholics,carried out State-sanctioned acts of terrorism and colludedwith Protestant death squads.